Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Other Alcohol-Related Birth Defects

Answers to Questions to Consider Worksheet
1. Are there similar numbers of eggs in each condition at time 0? If not,
identify which are different. Explain how this might affect your
interpretation of the results.
Answers will depend upon individual results
2. After 48 hours, what did you observe about the appearance of the hatched
brine shrimp in the control dish?
They should be actively swimming in the marine salt solution.
3. After 48 hours, what do you observe in each of the dishes containing
alcohol? (Compare 1%, 2.5% and 5%conditions.)
1% alcohol: There should be several live brine shrimp swimming, but
fewer than in the control. Some brine shrimp will appear dead or
immature and there will be many unhatched eggs.
2.5% alcohol: There would be few live brine shrimp; some dead or
immature brine shrimp, and many unhatched eggs.
5% alcohol: There would be no live brine shrimp, no immature brine
shrimp. Virtually all the eggs are unhatched.
4. What do your results tell you about the affect of alcohol on hatching of
brine shrimp eggs?
The higher the concentration of alcohol the more damaging the effects
on brine shrimp hatching and well-being.
5. Do you think the development of other organisms can be affected by
alcohol?
Yes, as shown in the introductory video, humans and mice can be
affected by alcohol exposure during pregnancy. In fact, we would expect
that all organisms might be adversely affected.
6. If you could run this experiment again what other variable would you like
to consider?
This answer will vary. Variables might include, temperature, incubation
time or even a different pollutant.
7. How would you test the influence of that variable on brine shrimp egg
hatching?
The answer will depend upon the variable selected. Experiments
should include a comparison between the control condition and the
experimental condition(s).